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Feeling powerless against the forces of darkness. Don’t panic.

Maybe … there is a beast … maybe it’s only us.

What NOT to do in times of crisis.

The Government has proclaimed that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States constitutes a national emergency.

The Center for Disease Control has recommended that the public take precautions to stay safe and keep others safe, including washing their hands regularly, staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and maintaining distance from others.

Nothing can be more important to a state than its public health; the state’s paramount concern should be the health of its people. — Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Most Americans are doing everything possible to get past this terrible crisis. But there is another plague that is infecting the minds of those susceptible to a worldwide pandemic.

Fear and paranoia have set in. People are stocking food and toilet paper. The shelves of grocery stores are bare. Alarmists are buying guns and ammo.

Scaremongers have been proclaiming the “End of Days” for centuries. In the 17th-century Christians predicted the world would end in 1666 because the numbers “666” represented the mark of the Beast mentioned in the Bible’s Book of Revelation.

Maybe … there is a beast … maybe it’s only us. — Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Invoking the end of days prophecies from biblical passages reinforces people’s notions that the apocalypse is upon us, damaging folks’ mental well being.

Here are the top things NOT to do in times of crisis:

DON’T PANIC When you panic you’re apt to make ill advised decisions. Don’t run from the problem and don’t let the crisis paralyze you. Take a deep breath and calm down. Collect your thoughts, clear your mind and get yourself in the right frame of mind to face this crisis head on. Think through the process and then decide what the best course of action is.

DON’T LIEDon’t blame yourself, your partner, the virus or anyone else for this mess. Honesty and clarity are key. Look within yourself to find the solution. There will be plenty of people to blame when it’s all said and done. Figure out what to do next.

DON’T BE A DOWNERBe positive and supportive. Spend some quality time with loved ones. Look for the good in others: Crises can bring out the worst and the best in us. Let’s pull together and get through this terrible time by making the most of the situation.

Life is made up of a series of tests, trials and great opportunities. Some are momentary, but most take endurance. — Micheal K. Simpson